tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63383312295440072622019-02-07T19:04:35.983+11:00daylesford organicsdaylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.comBlogger186125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-50419415208315692472013-11-26T20:54:00.000+11:002013-11-26T21:25:08.900+11:00BEES<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What can I say about bees.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Barry the bee man who has been a beekeeper all his life has few words about them. He is still learning and surprised and intrigued.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Barry used to bring us bee hives every spring for our apple orchard pollination. We would pay him to bring them for a few months and then he would take them back, actually take them somewhere warmer for winter as he reckons they don't do too well here over the cold wet months. A few years ago I thought it would be a good idea if they moved in here permanently.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So we now have a few hundred thousand bees.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are just beginners and are trying to learn as much as we can about a society that is so extremely complex that the more we learn the more our minds boggle. I think the reality is that we can never really understand what is going on</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9835Li35yh0" width="560"></iframe> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We listen and read and learn.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here we are checking the hives, and putting a new box on top of each one with a queen excluder between so that we can hopefully share some of their honey toward the end of summer.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh by the way as part of my helicopter hobby I've also got a GoPro&nbsp;camera recently, and am loving it. This was all shot on this tiny little camera that can go anywhere.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you love bees?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you love honey?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you love GoPos?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cheers&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">Farmer Bren.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-81317151104464614782013-10-17T13:26:00.000+11:002013-10-17T17:46:06.296+11:00seeds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wuH75JZWsws/UlvMjNntpoI/AAAAAAAAE94/z9C7u-Hk-nA/s1600/Image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wuH75JZWsws/UlvMjNntpoI/AAAAAAAAE94/z9C7u-Hk-nA/s640/Image.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I said in my first post I am happy to be led down the garden path by you guys on topics, and Kelli got me thinking about one of my favourites. SEEDS.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am always in awe and amazement at what a seed contains. It is mind blowing that tiny seeds can hold all the information needed to grow into their full potential whether it be a humble radish (maybe not so humble when you consider this<a href="http://daylesfordorganics.blogspot.com.au/2010/03/veg-of-moment.html?view=flipcard"> beauty</a>), or a majestic tree.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The diversity and complexity of each seed is nothing short of magical, and&nbsp;as I think about how high my favorite scarlet runner beans will get by late summer,&nbsp;I can easily understand the origins of the story of jack and the beanstalk .</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey03RBZuNDs/UltfakK-T0I/AAAAAAAAE8U/uQpP_wE18Po/s1600/IMG_6122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey03RBZuNDs/UltfakK-T0I/AAAAAAAAE8U/uQpP_wE18Po/s640/IMG_6122.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sow how do we grow our veg here (not a spelling mistake just my sense of humour)?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We grow all our veg from seed and almost always have. The few times we have bought in seedlings we haven't really had any success with them.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not saying you should do this as each gardener or farmer has to find the way of growing that feels comfortable with them. If you want to buy seedlings from the nursery then awesome and if you want to buy seed and then save you're own seed to plant again then awesome to you too. But don't get caught up in which is the best way, or the way you <i>should</i> do it, just do it.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sYXY7H1blZ4/UltfhA94xFI/AAAAAAAAE8c/I7oC3idzubA/s1600/IMG_6124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sYXY7H1blZ4/UltfhA94xFI/AAAAAAAAE8c/I7oC3idzubA/s640/IMG_6124.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have tried many different seed companies and I would say that my obsession with diversity follows through to them too. I usually end up ordering seed from at least a few of them, mostly because not one of them has all the seeds I'm after. I also try and buy only Certified Organic seed as it is a requirement of our certification but it also means I am supporting other Organic growers.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite seed catalogues would have to be <a href="http://diggers.com.au/">Diggers</a>&nbsp;because of their diversity and their commitment to sourcing heirloom varieties. We have had a lot of success and enjoyment from heirloom varieties. The flavours, vigour, colours and diversity are astounding and something to be cherished.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have almost always sourced open pollinated seed so that we can save our own seed if we want to.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just love planting seeds and patting them down and eagerly checking on their progress. Sometimes I just can't wait and I will carefully dig around looking for the seeds and checking for any movement. I shouldn't really disturb them, but I do love seeing the tiny shoots sneaking out of their cases.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qHWvfLehWDA/UltgObCcHTI/AAAAAAAAE80/X6kZOpFVoq8/s1600/IMG_6135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qHWvfLehWDA/UltgObCcHTI/AAAAAAAAE80/X6kZOpFVoq8/s640/IMG_6135.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kelli also wanted to know about our "<i><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; text-align: justify;">planning and preparation process - such as raising seedlings for transplanting and succession planting</span><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; text-align: justify;">.</span></i><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">"</span>, but I don't think we are as organized as we could be and rather than me give you a how to I would like to suggest to you some&nbsp;wonderful&nbsp;resources that we have used through the years.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-right;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Joyce Wilkie &amp; Michael Plane from </span><a href="http://www.allsun.com.au/Allsun_Farm.html" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">Allsun Farm</a><span style="font-family: Arial;">&nbsp;are farmers that I have long respected and followed. I&nbsp;have been&nbsp;long a long time customer of their great garden-farm supply company and purchased their CD-ROM very early on in our farm adventure. It is an&nbsp;invaluable&nbsp;resource and I am always amazed when I suggest it to people and they&nbsp;haven't&nbsp;heard of it. I remember sitting on our porch surrounded by our first garlic harvest with the printed out pages from the CD-ROM learning how to make&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">beautiful&nbsp;plaits.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.soilandhealth.org/05steve'sfolder/05aboutmeindex.html">Steve Solomon</a>&nbsp;is a man who knows a lot about seeds. His book Growing Vegetables South Of &nbsp;Australia has been one of those books I refer to all the time. It is about growing in Tasmania and our climate here is pretty similar, but there is so much other&nbsp;useful&nbsp;info in there it would be worthwhile wherever you are. He also started an online <a href="http://www.soilandhealth.org/05steve'sfolder/05aboutmeindex.html">Soil and Health Library</a>&nbsp;that has hundreds of great free ebooks, most of which are out of print and public domain.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Well I think that's enough from me now.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Please keep commenting and asking as you see I do take your suggestions on board and a quick reminder that I have been replying to a lot of your comments, so flick back and check.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cheers</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Farmer Bren.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-62766569656377757052013-10-05T19:36:00.001+10:002013-10-05T19:36:20.833+10:00Free Range?<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Free Range Eggs</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CVz1he9bzcQ/Uk_JFKnnYQI/AAAAAAAAE7w/Q7sCeI3Oo-Y/s1600/P1110328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CVz1he9bzcQ/Uk_JFKnnYQI/AAAAAAAAE7w/Q7sCeI3Oo-Y/s640/P1110328.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An article in the Sydney Morning Herald a few days ago got me thinking. I&nbsp;don't&nbsp;actually read the&nbsp;newspaper&nbsp;or watch the news on TV. I call it the bad news. I'll never forget an interview I heard once with a&nbsp;psychologist&nbsp;who was not surprised at the the number of people who struggle through&nbsp;their&nbsp;day having been woken by their clock radio telling them all the bad things that are happening in the world.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wow I can see how people can digress in this blog thing.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvNOJLJeARE/Uk_Ir_LEkBI/AAAAAAAAE7I/KHEOMwUX7aQ/s1600/IMG_4034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvNOJLJeARE/Uk_Ir_LEkBI/AAAAAAAAE7I/KHEOMwUX7aQ/s640/IMG_4034.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are Free Range Eggs?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I should have the answers. Some of the facts are relatively simple:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ofa.org.au/pages/Organic-Certifiers.html">Certified Organic</a>&nbsp;eggs are always free range. Something that I find people still don't&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">understand. T</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here are 7 different certifiers and logos in Australia.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.freerangefarmers.com.au/index.html">Free Range Farmers Association</a> , <a href="http://www.frepa.com.au/">FREPA</a> , <a href="http://www.humanechoice.com.au/">Humane Choice</a>, and others have strict regulations limiting numbers between 750 to 1500 hens per hectare. Check the <a href="http://sustainabletable.org.au/Hungryforinfo/Freerangeeggandchickenguide/tabid/113/Default.aspx">Sustainable Table's</a> site for a good comparison table.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stocking rate is important but doesn't actually take into account grazing management.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Certified Organic producers are independently&nbsp;audited and inspected every year. As for the others, it's not so clear.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Eggs that say Free Range but don't have any Accreditation Logo could be anything.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">But even these facts aren't that simple to find, or to understand, and I'll admit I might not even have the facts all right, and I am an egg farmer.</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q26lpBa_g0U/Uk_IJyK3NVI/AAAAAAAAE7A/NOR-p_PQrvo/s1600/DSC_0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q26lpBa_g0U/Uk_IJyK3NVI/AAAAAAAAE7A/NOR-p_PQrvo/s640/DSC_0055.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">No wonder the consumers are bewildered and </span><a href="http://www.choice.com.au/media-and-news/media-releases/2013-media-releases/choice-makes-free-range-super-complaint.aspx" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">choice</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">&nbsp;has made a </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.smh.com.au/national/buyers-misled-on-freerange-eggs-20130930-2uou2.html">super complaint</a>&nbsp;(</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">great name) about the situation.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Understandably&nbsp;producers are scrambling to&nbsp;identify&nbsp;themselves, with new labels such as Pasture Ranged Organic, and Beyond Organic. But&nbsp;I'm&nbsp;not sure if this helps or just adds to the confusion. I mean what exactly is beyond organic anyway?</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">If&nbsp;you're&nbsp;waiting for my wise conclusion you might have to wait till&nbsp;I'm&nbsp;older and more cynical because as I heard </span><a href="http://www.timminchin.com/2013/09/25/occasional-address/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Tim Minchin</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"> say recently to his old Uni;</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><em style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></em></div><div style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><em style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"A famous bon mot asserts that opinions are like arse-holes, in that everyone has one. There is great wisdom in this… but I would add that opinions differ significantly from arse-holes, in that yours should be constantly and thoroughly examined.</em><br /><em style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></em><em style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5em;">We must think critically, and not just about the ideas of others.</em><br /><em style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5em;">Be hard on your beliefs. Take them out onto the verandah and beat them with a cricket bat.</em><br /><em style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5em;"><em style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.5em;">Be intellectually rigorous. Identify your biases, your prejudices, your privilege."</em></em></div></div><div style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;"><em style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">I think these may be some of the wisest words I've heard in a while, and what this means to me is that I&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 24px;">don't</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&nbsp;have the answers,&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I'm</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&nbsp;still trying to figure it all out.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2jhQ2LEdtBg/Uk_IBj3SjrI/AAAAAAAAE64/Mhywc9aNu3Q/s1600/IMG_8801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2jhQ2LEdtBg/Uk_IBj3SjrI/AAAAAAAAE64/Mhywc9aNu3Q/s320/IMG_8801.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LULOjvC3GKY/Uk_JE_LTN7I/AAAAAAAAE7s/XYB-oUeJebQ/s1600/IMG_9274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LULOjvC3GKY/Uk_JE_LTN7I/AAAAAAAAE7s/XYB-oUeJebQ/s320/IMG_9274.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could tell you that the best thing to do would be to get to know you're local farmer, shop at farmers markets, do you're research, even visit the farms you buy from, and these things probably will help you make an informed choice.</span></span></div></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or I could say that you should raise your own chickens and that is the ultimate way to know where you're eggs come from.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em;">BUT I don't believe I should tell you to do anything. Do what you want. If it's important to you you will try, like me, to figure it out for yourself and not be told what is best for you.</span></div></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well what a rant. When you sit down and start writing like this it can certainly open up a can of worms, but as the earth would not exist without worms, maybe that's a good thing.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em;">Cheers,</span></div></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Farmer Bren</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-57463122620235894712013-09-28T09:51:00.000+10:002013-09-28T09:51:39.838+10:00Electranet<div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9fifnSiY6Ts?rel=0" width="640"></iframe><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sorry about the typos in my last blog. I have since run it through spellcheck and found 10, (I can hear Kate cringing. She hates typos). But i will happily admit that I'm not a good speller and that I believe &nbsp;spelling should&nbsp;actually be phonetic.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks for all your comments, it was great to get so many for a newbie and I have posted replies to most of them in the last blog. I think that is what I will try to do if I can think of a direct reply and if not the questions will go onto a list that I will refer to for future blogs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One last housekeeping thing and that is the blog layout. I'm not convinced it will stay, mostly because I can't get the photos as big as I'd like them, however there are some very cool features of this layout that you can try;&nbsp;On the upper left corner where is says&nbsp;<i>classic</i> there are another 6 layouts you can choose from to view the blog. My favourite is <i>flipcard</i>. Check them out and let me know what you think.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ok, enough housekeeping.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wish the clip above was a bit clearer and that I could have got a wider angle but I hope that it can still give you a bit of an idea of setting up of an enclosure for 200 chickens.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We have used electranets/electric netting/electric poultry nets, for close to 10 years now.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DuSFLN5G4Ew/UkYVRcrOFAI/AAAAAAAAE6c/G6jKYrvejjo/s1600/IMG_5295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DuSFLN5G4Ew/UkYVRcrOFAI/AAAAAAAAE6c/G6jKYrvejjo/s1600/IMG_5295.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;I can't imagine keeping free range chickens without them.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbiagjhlJIs/UkYVPxaX4NI/AAAAAAAAE6U/9XnPAh7TQyE/s1600/IMG_5298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbiagjhlJIs/UkYVPxaX4NI/AAAAAAAAE6U/9XnPAh7TQyE/s1600/IMG_5298.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">More later..</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cheers,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Farmer Bren.</div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-87458089623379672412013-09-21T14:45:00.000+10:002013-09-27T14:20:47.494+10:00A new start<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLvNFtiDG0c/Uj0W1JSBXUI/AAAAAAAAE5s/_nTAsC29UAA/s1600/DSC_0476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLvNFtiDG0c/Uj0W1JSBXUI/AAAAAAAAE5s/_nTAsC29UAA/s640/DSC_0476.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Well,<br /><br />After staying off the web space for all these years, i am here..<br /><br />Yes its farmer Bren here..<br /><br />Up til now kate, my farmer wife has been the online voice of daylesford Organics. She has spoken here with such a beautiful and confident voice that i am in awe of her talent, even if she continues to be one of these artists that wont see and admit how good they are..You just have to read a few comments on foxslane to see how much her voice is appreciated.<br />I love her more than anything in the world. She inspires me and keeps me alive and happy. I believe that together we can achieve anything we put our minds to.<br /><br />So why am i sitting here typing a few words (more than i have in a long time).<br /><br />Maybe because i am searching for a next step for me.<br />Maybe because i might be able to help others in some way.<br />Maybe because there are things on the farm scene that need to be said.<br />Maybe because like her i have so much in my head that would be better out there..It seems to be therapeutic for her.<br /><br />So here goes..I'm not sure if i can be anywhere as committed to writting as she is and when i will find the time to be here but i will see how it goes.<br /><br />So what can i offer you here..<br />Well possibly like michael Lunig said recently.."It's hard to have your fumbling experimental thoughts, your vulnerable thoughts, you're half-formed inconclusive ideas, but they are vital". When i read this it sounded like he was giving me permission to farm the way i do, and maybe..I'm not sure yet.. i should share this with you.<br /><br />I think that as there are soooo many things farm related i could go into but i will leave it up to you where i start.<br />Poor Kate gets so many questions on a daily basis about farm/garden /chook related issues that i feel i should start my blog or "farmlog" (i do love making up new words), by answering some of your questions or requests for topics.<br /><br />So go ahead. What do you want to know?<br /><br />I don't by any means profess to be an expert but i can share my experience and thoughts on many matters, &nbsp;as i try to do my best to work with nature in a way that will enhance life for all involved.<br /><br /><br />Thanks<br />Farmer Bren.<br /><br /><br />daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-15972931145159168672013-09-11T21:10:00.001+10:002013-09-11T21:10:31.335+10:00moving the chooks along<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E3HhUxLIV6I/UjBGQRhMnGI/AAAAAAAAQAk/-nEvfxXFoL8/s1600/IMG_5272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E3HhUxLIV6I/UjBGQRhMnGI/AAAAAAAAQAk/-nEvfxXFoL8/s1600/IMG_5272.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EpP_cw0o1jA/UjBGx5AKwrI/AAAAAAAAQA8/uOMeNaCRNus/s1600/IMG_5275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EpP_cw0o1jA/UjBGx5AKwrI/AAAAAAAAQA8/uOMeNaCRNus/s1600/IMG_5275.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ppToyj5xcA/UjBGkPSrbFI/AAAAAAAAQAw/1h4E-i2aRmY/s1600/IMG_5274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ppToyj5xcA/UjBGkPSrbFI/AAAAAAAAQAw/1h4E-i2aRmY/s1600/IMG_5274.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dSXRlbUKW2w/UjBGRhFoGbI/AAAAAAAAQAo/riULdGDPgu4/s1600/IMG_5248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dSXRlbUKW2w/UjBGRhFoGbI/AAAAAAAAQAo/riULdGDPgu4/s1600/IMG_5248.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Friday the&nbsp;Blackwood flock of chickens, above, will leave our farm and make their home on another organic farm a couple of hours away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm guessing that apart from the drive, the Blackwoods wont notice much of a difference between their old and their new homes at all. They'll travel along as usual dust bathing, eating, drinking, scratching for bugs, laying eggs, hanging out with their hen buddies and when dark comes, they'll even go to roost in the same houses they have since they came to live with us a year ago when they were one day old.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our lives on the other hand will be very different indeed.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Blackwoods are the last flock to leave our farm and for the first time in years we will be down from 2,000 chooks to just 200. From 10 Maremma dogs to two. From two wonderful farmer boys to none.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Friday marks the next stage in our organic farming adventure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're excited (and a little bit scared), we're happy (and a little bit sad), but we're really ready.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hopefully our extra time will be spent trying to find a bit more of a self sufficient balance. Making, growing and doing more, and buying less.&nbsp;Hopefully scaling down the business will mean we'll have more time for other plans. And hopefully someday soon, the places we deliver to will stop calling us the egg man and lady.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So it is with much happiness for them and for ourselves that we farewell the Blackwoods.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stay tuned for the next adventures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">xx</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">PS We have a pallet load of poultry netting, as seen above, arriving from England any day now. Available for sale mid October. Please watch this space for details if you are interested.</div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-27789287571794062002013-02-05T14:28:00.000+11:002013-09-11T21:11:15.301+10:00See you on Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0RS_DI7jiSA/URB6ZgmBKtI/AAAAAAAAC6c/0eTrWzcLj28/s1600/DSC_0807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="437" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0RS_DI7jiSA/URB6ZgmBKtI/AAAAAAAAC6c/0eTrWzcLj28/s640/DSC_0807.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qKwGBNMiYRQ/URB6Z4kJDYI/AAAAAAAAC6g/BCVCfsD8ChA/s1600/DSC_0808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qKwGBNMiYRQ/URB6Z4kJDYI/AAAAAAAAC6g/BCVCfsD8ChA/s640/DSC_0808.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Hello!<br /><br />Long time no see.<br /><br />So here's my idea; why don't you come along to the <a href="http://www.mfm.com.au/content/collingwood-childrens-farm">Collingwood Children's Farm</a> farmer's market this Saturday between eight and one and see us for real. In person.<br /><br />How much fun would that be!<br /><br />We could chat, you could buy some gorgeous heirloom variety beetroot and some eggs, all certified organic and of course delicious. And while you are there your kids could dance around with the buskers, you could stock up on the freshest, seasonal, farmer's market goodies and make a morning of it.<br /><br />See you there?<br /><br />Hope so.daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-55250049336483631212012-03-10T21:23:00.001+11:002012-03-10T21:23:59.554+11:00Foxs Lane.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MxXVtJUHHx0/T1srm9syMsI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/JjTI9at2Rbs/s1600/DSC_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MxXVtJUHHx0/T1srm9syMsI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/JjTI9at2Rbs/s1600/DSC_0150.jpg" /></a></div><br />Hello!<br /><br />I've been struggling lately to work on both my blogs.<br />So for the moment I have decided to blog almost all of the time at<b> Foxs Lane.</b><br />I'd love you to come and join me over there.<br /><br />Just click on this link:<a href="http://foxslane.blogspot.com.au/">&nbsp;http://foxslane.blogspot.com.au/</a><br /><br />See you soon. xdaylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-27472569930579017892012-01-16T19:14:00.000+11:002012-01-16T19:14:31.822+11:00Market report.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72-QOFgBO4E/TxPW5PYqhGI/AAAAAAAAC5A/kKYagrFpBQg/s1600/DSC_0301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72-QOFgBO4E/TxPW5PYqhGI/AAAAAAAAC5A/kKYagrFpBQg/s640/DSC_0301.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LVTmn0xgjg/TxPW64dDAUI/AAAAAAAAC5I/uutZUTHAlag/s1600/DSC_0291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LVTmn0xgjg/TxPW64dDAUI/AAAAAAAAC5I/uutZUTHAlag/s640/DSC_0291.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Av_vwlCxGp0/TxPW9LK13XI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/9a98G61Km1o/s1600/DSC_0304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Av_vwlCxGp0/TxPW9LK13XI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/9a98G61Km1o/s640/DSC_0304.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RZKYrxBBVgQ/TxPW91b0tAI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/7zrT9ytfEpE/s1600/DSC_0303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RZKYrxBBVgQ/TxPW91b0tAI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/7zrT9ytfEpE/s1600/DSC_0303.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgAPj8dPhXM/TxPW_Vl2HVI/AAAAAAAAC5g/wowwrnJbR30/s1600/DSC_0295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgAPj8dPhXM/TxPW_Vl2HVI/AAAAAAAAC5g/wowwrnJbR30/s1600/DSC_0295.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_708d5f0ndY/TxPXAm_JNrI/AAAAAAAAC5o/z6v4RmhctSk/s1600/DSC_0302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_708d5f0ndY/TxPXAm_JNrI/AAAAAAAAC5o/z6v4RmhctSk/s1600/DSC_0302.jpg" /></a></div>We're back at farmers' markets.<br />Hooray!<br />We're starting the season at Collingwood Children's Farm farmers' market on the second Saturday of the month and will see how we go.<br /><br />We packed the trailer and drove down to Melbourne.<br />We woke up really early and drove to the farm.<br />We took our usual place between <a href="http://wbgbeef.com.au/">Warialda Beef</a> and <a href="http://www.tmorganics.com/directory/grower-horticulture/liz-clay-baw-baw-organics.html">Baw Baw Organics</a>.<br />We put up the marquee and the tables and signs and prettied it all up with some bunting and table cloths.<br />We caught up with and chatted to fellow stall holders.<br />And then we drank coffee and waited for the gates to open.<br /><br />We had the most wonderful market.<br />We caught up with so many friends old and new.<br />We ate pancakes and spanikopita and icy poles and ice cream.<br />We bought a whole crate of food for home.<br />We swapped lots of produce for eggs too.<br />Miss Indi worked on our stall and Miss Jazzy and Miss Pepper worked with <a href="http://www.dmproduce.com.au/mtree/members-by-produce/fresh-produce/holy-goat-cheese.html">Anne Marie at Holy Goat</a>.<br />And we sold out of eggs before the end of the day.<br />We loved it.<br /><br />The next Collingwood Children's Farm farmers' market is on on the 11th of Feb.<br />More details <a href="http://www.mfm.com.au/content/collingwood-childrens-farm">here</a>.<br />We hope to see you there.<br /><br />In the meantime there's a fantastic recipe for Herby Whole Egg Mayo on Ruth's blog today.<br />Check it out <a href="http://gourmetgirl-friend.blogspot.com/2012/01/family-weekends.html#comment-form">here</a>.<br /><br />See ya. xdaylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-1453551786037522222012-01-05T10:40:00.000+11:002012-01-05T10:43:51.135+11:00currant cordial.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-syqYbJZdNUc/TwTYe7B3TgI/AAAAAAAAC3w/vDLSBTU-hOY/s1600/P1170070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-syqYbJZdNUc/TwTYe7B3TgI/AAAAAAAAC3w/vDLSBTU-hOY/s1600/P1170070.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDFf1D0dE9w/TwTYf7OyiDI/AAAAAAAAC30/OwgWSzSBmww/s1600/DSC_0565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDFf1D0dE9w/TwTYf7OyiDI/AAAAAAAAC30/OwgWSzSBmww/s1600/DSC_0565.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ixqkfy1ZPQ4/TwTYhlsK0rI/AAAAAAAAC4A/BV1vH-y-bc4/s1600/DSC_0141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ixqkfy1ZPQ4/TwTYhlsK0rI/AAAAAAAAC4A/BV1vH-y-bc4/s1600/DSC_0141.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BrF0tA4MBlc/TwTYjZoiqGI/AAAAAAAAC4I/n9aOkhD3dX0/s1600/DSC_0140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BrF0tA4MBlc/TwTYjZoiqGI/AAAAAAAAC4I/n9aOkhD3dX0/s1600/DSC_0140.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHbgiTbPc60/TwTYkzMPEhI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/-nZmHWsoXzA/s1600/DSC_0137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHbgiTbPc60/TwTYkzMPEhI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/-nZmHWsoXzA/s1600/DSC_0137.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4nX1rUV4W58/TwTYmXb1BfI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/NGE2wkTv0qg/s1600/DSC_0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4nX1rUV4W58/TwTYmXb1BfI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/NGE2wkTv0qg/s1600/DSC_0124.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vmLPiOTHXnM/TwTYoOwfLmI/AAAAAAAAC4g/6b9_c-tpO4Q/s1600/DSC_0146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vmLPiOTHXnM/TwTYoOwfLmI/AAAAAAAAC4g/6b9_c-tpO4Q/s1600/DSC_0146.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1Y2_wF4Co0/TwTYpZ_TSCI/AAAAAAAAC4o/eUds0bSIdyA/s1600/DSC_0145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1Y2_wF4Co0/TwTYpZ_TSCI/AAAAAAAAC4o/eUds0bSIdyA/s1600/DSC_0145.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1oX4FQJlCo/TwTYrO3luuI/AAAAAAAAC4w/L-rPDYSsl0s/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1oX4FQJlCo/TwTYrO3luuI/AAAAAAAAC4w/L-rPDYSsl0s/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pc0Xyzyql5Q/TwTYskm483I/AAAAAAAAC44/ab9b9BAjYBo/s1600/DSC_0167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pc0Xyzyql5Q/TwTYskm483I/AAAAAAAAC44/ab9b9BAjYBo/s1600/DSC_0167.jpg" /></a></div><br />1kg currants.<br />500gms sugar.<br />500gms water.<br />1 lemon - juice and skin.<br />(half the quantities works just as well too.)<br /><br />Wash/sterilise bottle.<br />Place currants, sugar and water in a saucepan on the stove on a low heat.<br />Stir occasionally until the sugar melts.<br />Add the juice of the lemon and the skin.<br />Simmer for 5 - 10 minutes.<br />Stand aside to cool.<br />Pass mixture through a strainer.<br />Bottle.<br />Enjoy with sparkling water and ice. Yum!<br />or<br />Enjoy with a shot of vodka. Yum!<br />Keep refrigerated when not in use.<br /><br />From all of us at Daylesford Organics, we wish you the most wonderful, happy, healthy and bountiful 2012. xxdaylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-39797743431558391112011-10-21T22:48:00.000+11:002011-10-22T00:01:35.695+11:00Green manure.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOLYcjYNbUU/TqElrVrffOI/AAAAAAAAC3k/KRwpTwQIbEc/s1600/DSC_0558_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOLYcjYNbUU/TqElrVrffOI/AAAAAAAAC3k/KRwpTwQIbEc/s640/DSC_0558_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665851232692960482" /></a>I took the photo above about a year ago. It was meant to accompany a blog post I had been thinking about writing about soil. About how much of the farming that we do at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Daylesford</span> Organics is not really about the fruit and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">vegies</span> and eggs we produce, but about the soil they grow/feed/live on. <div><br /></div><div>I was going to talk about how we at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Daylesford</span> Organics actually consider ourselves soil farmers. Our work is to constantly improve the soil. To make it healthy and full of nutrients so that it can then do it's own important work.</div><div><br /></div><div>We swear by this soil philosophy. We observe our soil, we add micro organisms and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">organic</span> matter and compost teas. We use the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">chooks</span> to fertilise and we obsessively make and dig in compost. And we don't overwork our precious soil. We let it rest in between plantings and we often plant crops that we plow in to feed and nurture it.</div><div><br /></div><div>We try to listen and nurture.</div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3lptuocnAI/TqElrDT6-0I/AAAAAAAAC3Y/diLtaVW9R6Y/s1600/DSC_0302.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3lptuocnAI/TqElrDT6-0I/AAAAAAAAC3Y/diLtaVW9R6Y/s640/DSC_0302.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665851227762260802" /></a>After ten years of organic farming and the worst season of farming we have experienced, we decided it was time to look after the farmers of the soil. After the steepest learning curve of moving from the city to become farmers. After building up the wonderful business that is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Daylesford</span> Organics and after experiencing some of the biggest highs and some pretty awful lows, we decided it was time to look after us.</div><div><br /></div><div>To plant a green manure crop.</div><div><br /></div><div>So in July of this year, our family of five left the farm and drove off in an old caravan we had renovated. We drove up the centre of Australia and are now on our way down the west coast. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are looking after the farmers. We are taking some time out to look at things from the outside. We are talking a lot about possible new directions we as an organic farm can take. And we are getting inspired all over again.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are so lucky and grateful to farmers Liam and Pierre for keeping things going while we travel. You guys are ace! x</div><div><br /></div><div>We have got some exciting plans to put into action when we return so watch this space.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the mean time feel free to follow our caravan adventure <a href="http://foxslane.blogspot.com/">here on my other blog</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>See you soon.</div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-51489809380227563092011-06-01T20:48:00.000+10:002011-06-01T20:48:37.688+10:00Heirloom beetroots and carrots.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0cqifcb6ef4/TeYVNVmSDWI/AAAAAAAAC3E/PmajTodZeUc/s1600/DSC_0272.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0cqifcb6ef4/TeYVNVmSDWI/AAAAAAAAC3E/PmajTodZeUc/s640/DSC_0272.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613197304444095842" /></a>It's the first day of winter here in Southern Australia and our little farm is full of rainbows.<div><br /></div><div>Rainbows of heirloom beetroots. Five varieties.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ijifV-4L0eU/TeYVNGDObII/AAAAAAAAC28/6FasBbqdrW0/s1600/DSC_0269.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ijifV-4L0eU/TeYVNGDObII/AAAAAAAAC28/6FasBbqdrW0/s640/DSC_0269.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613197300270525570" /></a>And rainbows of heirloom carrots. Five varieties.</div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bEar9ZpKtEI/TeYVM0W2f9I/AAAAAAAAC20/mOqiJ6CI31A/s1600/DSC_0270.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bEar9ZpKtEI/TeYVM0W2f9I/AAAAAAAAC20/mOqiJ6CI31A/s640/DSC_0270.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613197295521005522" /></a>The vegetable cool room is on and full of crates of gorgeous certified organic vegies.</div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7oXzkOT9wY/TeYVM-xEbKI/AAAAAAAAC2s/PxLie64dMHM/s1600/DSC_0273.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7oXzkOT9wY/TeYVM-xEbKI/AAAAAAAAC2s/PxLie64dMHM/s640/DSC_0273.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613197298315324578" /></a>And the farmer boys are a blur of picking and washing and weighing and packing.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's been a crazy season and we are about five months later than usual, but we are finally doing what organic vegie farmers do and wow it is fun!</div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-2460590579375664402011-05-19T15:50:00.000+10:002011-05-19T15:56:34.509+10:00Chook love art.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph2vjoZrX9A/TdSizO1_5NI/AAAAAAAAC2k/0Msk5yMoBIo/s1600/5736008122_54da5b0ac9.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph2vjoZrX9A/TdSizO1_5NI/AAAAAAAAC2k/0Msk5yMoBIo/s640/5736008122_54da5b0ac9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608286437024720082" /></a>Produced, directed, photographed, fed and tended to by Farmer Pierre.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-5127289389867373202011-05-17T18:10:00.000+10:002011-05-17T18:10:20.678+10:00Crimes of Farm Fashion Part 2.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tj5yOTQCMFY/TdIqvehjmAI/AAAAAAAAC2U/qngyyaGr4lY/s1600/DSC_0262.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tj5yOTQCMFY/TdIqvehjmAI/AAAAAAAAC2U/qngyyaGr4lY/s640/DSC_0262.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607591481165715458" /></a>Other possible titles for this post:<div><ul><li>We are finally harvesting rainbow carrots.</li><li>Our two new green shipping containers arrived this morning.</li><li>Can you believe they let me take this pic even after I told them I would be putting it on the Internet?</li><li>Sorry girls, they are both happily married.</li></ul><div>Crimes of Farm Fashion Part 1 is <a href="http://daylesfordorganics.blogspot.com/2011/04/crimes-of-farm-fashion-part-1.html">here</a>.</div></div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-46546567521497308962011-05-09T07:34:00.000+10:002011-05-09T07:35:08.277+10:00Dear Delicious magazine,<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">We are sad to have to inform you that <b>Daylesford Organics</b> will not be submitting an entry into this year’s <b>Delicious Produce Awards</b>.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">In a world of celebrity chefs and chefs hat awards for restaurants, we think it’s wonderful that your magazine has an award that celebrates the producers. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><a href="http://daylesfordorganics.blogspot.com/2009/05/vogue-awards.html">Our win</a> in the <b>From The Earth</b> category in 2009 and <a href="http://daylesfordorganics.blogspot.com/2010/07/2010-delicious-magazine-produce-awards.html">our gold medal</a> in 2010 for our heirloom veggies have been among the highlights of our ten years in business.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Although the past growing season began with great promise, things soon changed. Our market gardens were <a href="http://daylesfordorganics.blogspot.com/2011/01/after-rains.html">flooded</a> three times in four months; and we experienced high humidity, not enough sunshine or warmth, and so much rain we considered building an ark. By the time the locusts arrived there wasn’t anything much left for them to devour.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Last year we submitted <a href="http://daylesfordorganics.blogspot.com/2010/04/shortlisted.html">a rainbow of heirloom vegetables </a>to be judged. So many colours and flavours, shapes and sizes. This year we don't have any produce to pull out of the ground in the submission time.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">We are most disappointed for ourselves as well as for the many other heartbroken farmers around Australia who have been affected by the crazy weather.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">We hope the judging of this year’s <b>Produce Awards</b> goes really well. We look forward to sending our entry next year.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">With best wishes,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Kate and Brendon</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Daylesford Organics</p><div><br /></div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-28173265591709172182011-05-06T21:08:00.001+10:002011-05-06T21:10:43.562+10:00Roasted beetroot divine!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dr4vff1ykco/TcPT31rIN0I/AAAAAAAAC2M/L6HiM1lAwTo/s1600/DSC_0249.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dr4vff1ykco/TcPT31rIN0I/AAAAAAAAC2M/L6HiM1lAwTo/s640/DSC_0249.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603555317633267522" /></a>Happy weekend folks!<div><br /></div><div>To celebrate weekend eve, we made the yummiest dinner. Every single ingredient except the olive oil and the feta was grown right here at <b>Daylesford</b><b> Organics</b> and everything except the garlic was picked less than an hour before it was cooked.</div><div><br /></div><div>Four colours of heirloom beetroot. From left: Detroit, White Blankoma, Golden, Chioggia.</div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cw8SqmL6O7U/TcPT3tJfjHI/AAAAAAAAC2E/xi6Z39D5DP0/s1600/DSC_0260.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cw8SqmL6O7U/TcPT3tJfjHI/AAAAAAAAC2E/xi6Z39D5DP0/s640/DSC_0260.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603555315344706674" /></a>Eshallots</div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5YDQUQgfB2A/TcPT3iCM6fI/AAAAAAAAC18/rHtmkySVYFg/s1600/DSC_0262.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5YDQUQgfB2A/TcPT3iCM6fI/AAAAAAAAC18/rHtmkySVYFg/s640/DSC_0262.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603555312361335282" /></a>Tossed together with some garlic and olive oil, baked for an hour and then served with a lettuce and fetta salad.</div><div><br /></div><div>It doesn't get much better than that. Simple, colouful, fresh, seasonal, organic, delicious!</div><div><br /></div><div>We hope you have the most wonderful weekend.</div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-16915547957843078452011-04-25T19:14:00.000+10:002011-04-26T09:50:45.226+10:00Day trip.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yy3BFADMvLQ/TbPZwSSi9MI/AAAAAAAAC1c/9fYdSqLz-4U/s1600/DSC_0099.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yy3BFADMvLQ/TbPZwSSi9MI/AAAAAAAAC1c/9fYdSqLz-4U/s640/DSC_0099.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599058185318233282" /></a></div>Early this morning we hit the road and took a drive to visit a couple of our newest customers.<div><br /></div><div>First stop <a href="http://www.collibanfoodstore.com/">Colliban Food Store</a><a href="http://www.visittrentham.com.au/Forms/Detail.aspx?id=119&amp;type=3"> </a>in Trentham. A gorgeous and glamerous new restaurant and food store just off the main street. </div><div><br /></div><div>Paul the owner, came to see us about a year ago to tell us of his vision for the store and talk about what produce we could supply him. It was a sunny Autumn day and we stood around in the farm stall and chatted. It was a fantastic feeling today to see him and his team and his dream come true.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFmqTAicKxE/TbPZwZwDMFI/AAAAAAAAC1U/nNkWna_mkOI/s1600/DSC_0097.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFmqTAicKxE/TbPZwZwDMFI/AAAAAAAAC1U/nNkWna_mkOI/s640/DSC_0097.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599058187321028690" /></a>You can buy our eggs and seasonal vegies in the store to take home or you can have them cooked for you in the restaurant and eat them there.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zFP-eNus14A/TbPZwPo1ccI/AAAAAAAAC1M/Fx4tqoKlRoo/s1600/DSC_0083.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zFP-eNus14A/TbPZwPo1ccI/AAAAAAAAC1M/Fx4tqoKlRoo/s640/DSC_0083.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599058184606413250" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div>Then we drove on to Kyneton and to deliver eggs to organic patisserie, <a href="http://www.innerbiscuit.com/">Inner Biscuit</a>.</div><div><br /></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RkxuB7vAV4/TbPabj_VWLI/AAAAAAAAC1s/8AfMjGGS8U0/s640/DSC_0087.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599058928803862706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">That's Mara there at the coffee machine. <b>Inner Biscuit</b> is her gorgeous cafe. I love everything about her place. I love the way she's decorated it, I love that all her ingredients are organic, I love how friendly her and her staff are and I loved our coffees, lemon cookies and almond croissants. Yum!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfq-XQ0VvAM/TbPabVI1GBI/AAAAAAAAC1k/DlmkU2N4Qhs/s640/DSC_0090.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599058924817160210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">I bet I'm not the only one to leave that place and consider starting an enamel tea pot collection.</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">All in all a wonderful day and some fabulous coffee. I think we might have to do a tour of some of our Melbourne customers soon.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Have a wonderful week.</span></span></div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-34687933903612851782011-04-14T12:20:00.002+10:002011-04-14T12:28:22.347+10:00Crimes of Farm Fashion Part 1.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l4WpOKaaihc/TaZZ5kWqsWI/AAAAAAAAC08/GemkDf2P2qI/s1600/DSC_0080.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l4WpOKaaihc/TaZZ5kWqsWI/AAAAAAAAC08/GemkDf2P2qI/s640/DSC_0080.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595258432600584546" /></a>I'll be back as soon as I get over those <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">fluoro</span> vests to tell you about the other fun stuff that's been going on here at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Daylesford</span> Organics lately. There's been honey collecting and spinning (possibly another fashion crime), preserving, 600 baby <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">chickies</span>, carrots, apples, beetroots and all sorts of other fun farm stuff.<div><br /></div><div>See you soon. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ps</span> stay tuned for baby chicken live cam.</div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-50131514081506893012011-03-31T14:02:00.000+11:002011-03-31T14:03:45.706+11:00Rainbow carrots are back!!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7Wh9mM35Bg/TZPtdv9_ziI/AAAAAAAAC00/Pf5lm_xiits/s1600/DSC_0003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7Wh9mM35Bg/TZPtdv9_ziI/AAAAAAAAC00/Pf5lm_xiits/s576/DSC_0003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590072657845407266" /></a>Hooray for the very first bunch of rainbow carrots of the season.<div><br /></div><div>I know they are small and not all that impressive but we are thrilled!! This bunch <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">got</span> three cheers. We've been waiting a very long time for our own carrots this season and because of all the floods they are two months later than usual. </div><div><br /></div><div>Late but still delicious. This bunch were gobbled up less than a minute after the photo shoot.</div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rpVcppLd21w/TZPtdWkmPNI/AAAAAAAAC0s/unmmBS4_gkg/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rpVcppLd21w/TZPtdWkmPNI/AAAAAAAAC0s/unmmBS4_gkg/s576/DSC_0004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590072651027987666" /></a>Actually, that's not entirely true...some were set aside a few minutes to decorate lunch.</div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-85759622930115888582011-03-27T20:30:00.000+11:002011-03-27T21:40:45.498+11:00The top orchard.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pJv5BpZbrU/TY7iOXzd2NI/AAAAAAAAC0k/De3irtmJcFg/s1600/DSC_0064.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pJv5BpZbrU/TY7iOXzd2NI/AAAAAAAAC0k/De3irtmJcFg/s576/DSC_0064.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588652924149291218" /></a>Ten years ago we bought this farm off a guy called Tom and his wife Lois. When Tom and Lois first moved here about 15 years before that, they hadn't been too sure of what to do with this place, so Tom made an orchard up near the house and planted one of every fruit tree he thought might do well and then watched them to see what would happen.<div><br /></div><div>He planted a few varieties of plum, lots of different apples, some pears, a quince, cherries, apricots, lemons, mulberries and peaches.</div><div><br /></div><div>After a few years he saw that this area is not suitable for growing peaches and apricots and lemons because it gets too cold but he also saw that the apples thrived.</div><div><br /></div><div>So Tom set about planting an apple orchard and while they lived here he grew and sold certified organic apples.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rZHXlgpDPRQ/TY7iAAla1MI/AAAAAAAAC0M/VZKrBrwD8Mo/s576/DSC_0039.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588652677398189250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">In the ten years since we have been here we have planted about five hundred more apple trees and lots of other fruit trees too. These apples are the working apples. The farm fruit trees. But the top orchard is a bit like the home orchard. It doesn't always get as well maintained as the other orchards and often the fruit doesn't look as good and the birds and kangaroos get a lot but its always worth a walk through in Autumn to see what's around.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Today we found lots and lots of apples. Most are spotty and starchy still but we'll keep checking them now and pick them as they ripen.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3GMD2hN4b_0/TY7iOfGm8DI/AAAAAAAAC0c/77LsTjC8dWM/s1600/DSC_0055.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3GMD2hN4b_0/TY7iOfGm8DI/AAAAAAAAC0c/77LsTjC8dWM/s576/DSC_0055.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588652926108626994" /></a>We picked the last of the plums, including this love heart one.</div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QDT1dBpZ38U/TY7iAB5LxcI/AAAAAAAAC0U/QsXhaMSVcpQ/s1600/DSC_0033.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QDT1dBpZ38U/TY7iAB5LxcI/AAAAAAAAC0U/QsXhaMSVcpQ/s576/DSC_0033.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588652677749523906" /></a>A crate of quinces.</div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sehr9SStuQs/TY7h_q3vSQI/AAAAAAAAC0E/oXosVkNvbh4/s1600/DSC_0053.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sehr9SStuQs/TY7h_q3vSQI/AAAAAAAAC0E/oXosVkNvbh4/s576/DSC_0053.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588652671569447170" /></a>A crate of Pepper.</div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vheXlhA1ZLI/TY7h_uDr70I/AAAAAAAACz8/7imLGSAeI-U/s1600/DSC_0042.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vheXlhA1ZLI/TY7h_uDr70I/AAAAAAAACz8/7imLGSAeI-U/s576/DSC_0042.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588652672424865602" /></a>Jazzy upside down fruit.</div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsNyrL1Anb0/TY7h_cMDqeI/AAAAAAAACz0/5dmqvji8Rfk/s1600/DSC_0044.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsNyrL1Anb0/TY7h_cMDqeI/AAAAAAAACz0/5dmqvji8Rfk/s576/DSC_0044.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588652667628136930" /></a>And loads and loads of pears.</div><div><br /></div><div>Its been a horrible year for the farm apples with the humidity and mould, but somehow these fruit trees on the top of the hill haven't done too badly. I'm not going to question why, I'm just going to enjoy them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a wonderful week.</div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-90241581416616257922011-03-16T21:52:00.000+11:002011-03-16T21:54:40.960+11:00Puppies.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dlZXKBlPM1g/TYCRFgb24yI/AAAAAAAACzk/2wba7SH85kQ/s1600/DSC_1587.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dlZXKBlPM1g/TYCRFgb24yI/AAAAAAAACzk/2wba7SH85kQ/s640/DSC_1587.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584623061731566370" /></a></div>I know I haven't posted on this blog for a month, far longer than I had intended.<div><br /></div><div>But do you mind if I start from here? Is it OK if I skip over the past few months that should have been full of vegies and harvesting and colour and excitement but weren't and start again from now?</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--iYXf11B0lU/TYCRFdr16-I/AAAAAAAACzc/0vKyyyCNT_E/s1600/DSC_1588.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--iYXf11B0lU/TYCRFdr16-I/AAAAAAAACzc/0vKyyyCNT_E/s640/DSC_1588.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584623060993305570" /></a>The puppies are almost twelve weeks old now. </div><div><br /></div><div>At six weeks old they moved from our back deck to an enclosure on the other side of our house. A couple of chooks and then some roosters were introduced bit by bit.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lyCYrJMeQcU/TYCRFVj_Z3I/AAAAAAAACzU/TjY-3qKjQA8/s1600/DSC_1591.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lyCYrJMeQcU/TYCRFVj_Z3I/AAAAAAAACzU/TjY-3qKjQA8/s640/DSC_1591.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584623058812888946" /></a>And then when their Mum Willow looked exhausted all the time and couldn't escape them, they took their first car trip down to the paddock and joined their Dad Nick and a flock of 500 chookies. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBi5EGXA6mc/TYCRE0vX9hI/AAAAAAAACzM/8xsXLMj0yyA/s1600/DSC_1596.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBi5EGXA6mc/TYCRE0vX9hI/AAAAAAAACzM/8xsXLMj0yyA/s640/DSC_1596.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584623050002265618" /></a>They have been running and chasing and playing and wrestling ever since.</div><div><br /></div><div>They are getting a bit rough for Miss Pepper though, bowling her over and scratching her face. They must sense that we call her Puppy and want to play and wrestle with her too.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8O6KdVN2bvw/TYCWqOKf0gI/AAAAAAAACzs/vOXlaRe7Mvs/s640/DSC_0002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584629190040211970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">But for now its safer to play from this side of the fence.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The first puppy to leave us last week was a girl. The new owner is a ten year old boy who has started his own chook business. he decided to call her Joey which made me happy as that's the name we gave her sister <a href="http://maxabellaloves.blogspot.com/2011/03/wearing-clever-clogs-2-foxs-lane.html">when she was first born</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Its exciting and a bit sad to think that one day the others will be off on their own Maremma journeys. I hope when the time comes there will be less tears from the Farmer girls than last week.</div><div><br /></div><div>So that's it, I'm back.</div><div><br /></div><div>See you soon.</div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-85987552927596510312011-02-13T10:00:00.001+11:002011-02-13T10:00:02.904+11:00Garlic bulbils.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xfVeFBUR5yk/TVZiNr4QVOI/AAAAAAAACy8/XfzX8M0eKxI/s1600/DSC_1240.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xfVeFBUR5yk/TVZiNr4QVOI/AAAAAAAACy8/XfzX8M0eKxI/s640/DSC_1240.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572749576174064866" /></a>Do you know what this is a photo of?<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sk2yRdpd-Ak/TVZiNeypEpI/AAAAAAAACy0/ivO46gtl4uk/s1600/DSC_1239.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sk2yRdpd-Ak/TVZiNeypEpI/AAAAAAAACy0/ivO46gtl4uk/s640/DSC_1239.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572749572660859538" /></a>These are garlic bulbils or garlic flowers.</div><div><br /></div><div>They grow from the top of the stalk of the hard neck varieties of garlic.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr8wvsKjAVs/TVZiNBGk7vI/AAAAAAAACys/jHMVwXBtrYE/s1600/DSC_0769.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr8wvsKjAVs/TVZiNBGk7vI/AAAAAAAACys/jHMVwXBtrYE/s640/DSC_0769.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572749564691410674" /></a>They start off white and as they dry out they become more and more purple.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many farmers of hard neck garlic remove the bulbils as they are forming to promote the growth of the bulb below the ground. At Daylesford Organics we believe in allowing a plant to grow in its natural form so we leave the bulbils on the plant. Cutting them off is like cutting off its reproductive organs.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_I_uoaIpN2E/TVZiNPVE8VI/AAAAAAAACyk/n112Qd1dmss/s1600/DSC_1232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_I_uoaIpN2E/TVZiNPVE8VI/AAAAAAAACyk/n112Qd1dmss/s640/DSC_1232.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572749568510325074" /></a>The advantage of not removing the bulbils is that we harvest them as well as the garlic cloves when they reach maturity.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are several things you can do with these flowers.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can replant them. This is an economical way of building up your planting stock. It will take two years of replanting for the bulbs to reach a decent size. Alternately you could plant the bulbils in your herb garden and harvest them as spring garlic, like spring onions.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sa7N1rw-1To/TVZiMz9w4HI/AAAAAAAACyc/JeCqW3WiL2Y/s1600/DSC_1229.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sa7N1rw-1To/TVZiMz9w4HI/AAAAAAAACyc/JeCqW3WiL2Y/s640/DSC_1229.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572749561164783730" /></a>The other use for the bulbils is the one we are most excited about and that is to eat.</div><div><br /></div><div>Over the past few weeks we have been sprinkling these gorgeous seeds on salads, bruchettas, stir fries and eggs.</div><div><br /></div><div>They look gorgeous as a garnish, they give that delicious garlic kick and all without the bother of having to peel them or prepare them in any way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Can you tell we are excited!! </div><div><br /></div><div>If you buy some garlic bulbils from us over the next few weeks, we would love you to share your own personal bulbil recipe with us. Please leave a comment on this blog or email us at kate@daylesfordorganics.com</div><div><br /></div><div>See ya.</div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-19512766034691565522011-01-29T12:48:00.000+11:002011-01-29T12:50:27.971+11:00Optimistic.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RJn5BDns-ig/TUNrMjBrVdI/AAAAAAAACxg/tG-DbefRN8Y/s1600/DSC_1222.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RJn5BDns-ig/TUNrMjBrVdI/AAAAAAAACxg/tG-DbefRN8Y/s640/DSC_1222.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567411427664942546" /></a>I've been thinking lately that the dictionary definition for the word <i>optimistic</i> should include the word <i>farmer</i> and more specifically <i>a farmer planting a crop</i>.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RJn5BDns-ig/TUNrMXJMRQI/AAAAAAAACxY/fy4hs6Hb2Xk/s1600/DSC_1215.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RJn5BDns-ig/TUNrMXJMRQI/AAAAAAAACxY/fy4hs6Hb2Xk/s640/DSC_1215.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567411424475235586" /></a>When a farmer plants a crop she/he hopes for the perfect weather conditions to enable that crop to germinate, to grow and to thrive. It cannot be too hot, too wet, too cold or too humid. The farmer hopes that the irrigation pipes don't block or burst, that pests leave the crop alone, that there are no diseases, not too many weeds and enough water to irrigate it. He/she hopes that there is no flood or fire or wind storm. The farmer hopes that Mother Nature is kind and enables a delicious crop to be picked at the end of the growing season.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RJn5BDns-ig/TUNrMJcBOzI/AAAAAAAACxQ/SiBSENrs7tY/s1600/DSC_1216.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RJn5BDns-ig/TUNrMJcBOzI/AAAAAAAACxQ/SiBSENrs7tY/s640/DSC_1216.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567411420796107570" /></a>After a month of 'will we or wont <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">we's</span>', the last few days at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Daylesford</span> Organics were spent ploughing, laying irrigation lines and planting out a couple of gardens of carrots and beetroots.</div><div><br /></div><div>Where other years we plant many, many different varieties of vegetables and lots of successions of each, this year we are most grateful to get anything in at all.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are optimistic.</div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-12210665720531818142011-01-25T15:44:00.000+11:002011-01-25T15:44:55.268+11:00Fish?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RJn5BDns-ig/TT5TnlahtJI/AAAAAAAACxI/M8sOzKZANl4/s1600/photo%2B1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RJn5BDns-ig/TT5TnlahtJI/AAAAAAAACxI/M8sOzKZANl4/s640/photo%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565978128999888018" /></a>We're still in clean up mode after the flood. We're chainsawing and pulling down and mulching and mowing. We're exploring and hunting for parts of our property that have washed away.<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday Farmer Bren was walking around and found a fish. Just lying there in what used to be the market garden. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RJn5BDns-ig/TT5Th-CBvqI/AAAAAAAACxA/ocqpyWYWnws/s1600/photo%2B2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RJn5BDns-ig/TT5Th-CBvqI/AAAAAAAACxA/ocqpyWYWnws/s640/photo%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565978032528801442" /></a>Maybe all those jokes about certified organic trout weren't so silly after all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a great day.</div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338331229544007262.post-68267121412760802932011-01-23T18:58:00.000+11:002011-01-23T19:00:46.366+11:00Water.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RJn5BDns-ig/TTuyKMemkQI/AAAAAAAACwo/dJip9Gx09ZE/s1600/DSC_1000.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RJn5BDns-ig/TTuyKMemkQI/AAAAAAAACwo/dJip9Gx09ZE/s640/DSC_1000.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565237652764397826" /></a>At this time of the year my blog should be bursting at the seams with photos of gorgeous rainbows of fruit and vegetables. Hundreds of varieties in all different shapes and colours. This week last year I was blogging about <a href="http://daylesfordorganics.blogspot.com/2010/01/heirloom-beetroots.html">beetroots</a> and <a href="http://daylesfordorganics.blogspot.com/2010/01/we-love-peas.html">peas</a> and <a href="http://daylesfordorganics.blogspot.com/2010/01/rocket.html">rocket</a> and <a href="http://daylesfordorganics.blogspot.com/2010/02/heirloom-radishes.html">radishes</a>. This year you get the puppies. <div><br /></div><div>This <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ain't</span></span> no ordinary season. This certainly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ain't</span></span> no ordinary January.</div><div><br /></div><div>Actually, the truth is so far in our ten years of organic farming we have learnt that there is no such thing as an ordinary year. Some years there's too much wind, some are too hot, some bring fires and other other crazy weather patterns. As farmers we have learnt to listen and watch and to adapt.</div><div><br /></div><div>But until this year the one constant has been the respect and love we have to have for water. Water is good.</div><div><br /></div><div>When we moved here we became self sufficient in our water supply for the first time. We have had to be mindful in washing and drinking and laundering and bathing even in the middle of winter, to ensure we have enough for the coming summer. Our house water comes from the rain that lands on our roof and is precious.</div><div><br /></div><div>Farm water has always been a constant topic for discussion too. We have bores that fill dams, we have dams that fill irrigation systems and we have irrigation systems that are always being planned and fixed and tested and diagrammed and updated.</div><div><br /></div><div>On a farm water is life giving, water is precious, water is the topic of so many discussions.</div><div><br /></div><div>Most years the running joke around here is that Bren has another girlfriend called Tap who he is always rushing off to meet and spend time with.</div><div><br /></div><div>But then this year something happened to turn our whole theory of water on its head.</div><div><br /></div><div>We learnt that water can also be destructive. Water can ruin your plans, stop you from planting a crop, turn your crop to seed or to mush, it can take years of carefully maintained top soil and send it off down the creek. Water can be scary. Water is a contradiction.</div><div><br /></div><div>And everywhere we go there are more crazy water stories. The lettuce grower who had to plow in ten acres of flooded lettuces, our neighbours at yesterday's farmers' market who had to sell so much of their strawberry crop as seconds, our friends Andrew and Jill who lost their entire crop and left a gap where their stall usually stands opposite us...I could go on and on, I'm sure you could too.</div><div><br /></div><div>So now we are living through the rest of this crazy season. We are grateful for our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">chookens</span></span> who continue to lay, that we don't have enormous machinery and input costs and that we never put a crop in so we didn't lose one. Our hearts go out to those less fortunate.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please buy local where you can, buy direct from the farmer where possible and look out for those that are producing the food that you eat.</div>daylesford organicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245803530529537815noreply@blogger.com8